Shakingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner characterized by quivering or trembling movements often caused by fear, cold, or excitement
2. Acting with unsteady or jittery motions typically resulting from nervousness or physical instability
3. Exhibiting a shaking or trembling quality when performing an action, indicating lack of control or strong emotion

Etymology: "Shakingly" is a plain formation: the adjective "shaking" with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly" attached. "Shaking" itself comes from the verb "shake," so the word is shake, then the adjective built from its present participle, then the adverb that describes doing something in that quivering way. English has used this suffix to turn adjectives into adverbs for centuries, as in "quick" becoming "quickly" or "bold" becoming "boldly." The adverb's meaning follows from the adjective's sense of trembling or quivering. Someone who speaks shakingly is not moving the whole body in a rhythmic way, but unsteadily, as the voice or limbs tremble under fear, cold, or excitement. The same pattern gives "shaky" its informal sense of unreliable, though "shakingly" stays closer to the literal trembling.

Synonyms: tremulously, quiveringly, tremblingly, shiveringly, waveringly

Antonyms: steadily, firmly, steadfastly, unshakably, solidly